Online, England and Wales
Same-day appointments with at least two hours' notice. From £95 plus VAT per document.
Online NotaryOnline Notary, anywhere in England and Wales
Same-day video appointments with a specialist lawyer appointed by the Court of Faculties. Documents notarised online from £95 plus VAT.
Mobile Notary across Central London
5.0 from 106 Google reviews · Member of The Notaries' Society · Reply within 1 hour in office hours
Anywhere in England and Wales
Same-day appointments
Completed the same day
UK FCDO apostille arranged
Three ways to instruct us
In-person appointments, Holborn
Fox Court, 14 Gray's Inn Road, near Chancery Lane and Farringdon. From £95 plus VAT per document.
Notary in Holborn
Mobile Notary, Central London
The Notary attends your office, home or hotel. £350 plus VAT for one document.
Mobile NotaryOur services
Powers of attorney
Notarisation of powers of attorney for use abroad, with UK FCDO apostille or embassy legalisation.
Company documents
Board resolutions, certificates of incorporation, articles and corporate authorities, including verification of signatory authority.
Certified copies
Notarial copies of passports, identity documents, degree certificates and transcripts.
Oaths, declarations and affidavits
Sworn at our Holborn office or by video appointment, where the receiving authority accepts it.
UK FCDO apostille and legalisation
UK FCDO apostilles, UK FCDO e-apostilles and embassy legalisation, arranged through to completion.
UK FCDO apostille and legalisationIdentity verification
Companies House identity verification (ACSP) as an Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP), and HM Land Registry ID1 Identity Verifications.
Companies House identity verification (ACSP)What a Notary does
A Notary in England and Wales is a specialist lawyer and the holder of a public office, appointed by the Court of Faculties and regulated through the Faculty Office of the Archbishop of Canterbury. The notarial profession is the oldest branch of the legal profession in England and Wales. Its appointment and regulation rest on statute, from the Ecclesiastical Licences Act 1533 to the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990 and the Legal Services Act 2007. "Notary" is a protected title, and only a Notary may perform a notarial act.
The principal function of a Notary is to authenticate documents and transactions for use outside England and Wales. A notarial act is not a simple certification. Before acting, the Notary establishes each signatory's identity, legal capacity and understanding of the document. Where a person signs on behalf of a company or another party, the Notary also establishes their authority to do so. The Notary then records these facts in a notarial certificate under signature and official seal.
The Notary's signature and seal are registered with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Notarised documents can therefore be legalised by UK FCDO apostille. Courts, registries, banks and public authorities abroad accept them as evidence from a responsible legal officer, without further enquiry. In England and Wales, the court rules allow a notarial act to be received in evidence without further proof.
Notaries are bound by practice and conduct rules made by the Master of the Faculties and renew their practising certificate annually. Every Notary must hold professional indemnity insurance and fidelity cover. A permanent record of each notarial act is retained.
Service standards
- 1 hourEnquiries: answered within one hour during office hours.
- Same dayOnline appointments: available the same day, with at least two hours' notice, during online hours.
- Same dayNotarised documents: completed on the day of the appointment.
- 24 hoursUK FCDO apostilles: an urgent paper UK FCDO apostille is ready the next working day; a UK FCDO e-apostille is usually issued within 24 hours.
For companies and professional firms
Law firms, corporate service providers and company formation agents instruct the practice on a repeat basis. We provide one point of contact, written quotations for the complete chain (notarisation, UK FCDO apostille, legalisation and courier return), and appointments arranged around directors and signatories wherever they are in England and Wales.
Corporate enquiriesFOR COMPANIES AND THEIR ADVISERS
Specialist services
Companies House identity verification (ACSP)
Online checks for directors and people with significant control, by a Companies House Authorised Corporate Service Provider (ACSP).
£95 plus VAT
Companies House identity verification (ACSP)HM Land Registry ID1 Identity Verifications
Identity verification for property applications in England and Wales, arranged online.
£195 plus VAT
Request an appointmentUK FCDO apostille and legalisation
UK FCDO apostilles, UK FCDO e-apostilles and embassy legalisation for documents going abroad. Paper UK FCDO apostille prices include the £45 FCDO fee. UK FCDO e-apostille prices include the £35 FCDO fee.
Country guidesThe practice
Sheikh Najam
Public Notary and Commissioner For Oaths (England and Wales)
Shayli Alali. Paralegal and Personal Assistant to the Notary. Manages instructions, appointments and document logistics.
Sahar Najam. Trainee Notary/Lawyer.
Client reviews
Rated 5.0 on Google from 106 reviews (as at 28 October 2026)
Google review ★★★★★
Second time using Staple Inn Notaries, again they provided an excellent service, quick and easy with good communication. Same day appointment booked via their WhatsApp service. I highly recommend their services!
Will C
Google review ★★★★★
I am extremely happy with the service provided by Sheikh & Shayli. They were incredibly helpful throughout the process. I had some difficulties with my documents and felt quite confused at times, but they handled everything with great patience and kindness. Communication was always clear and consistent, especially regarding when I would receive my apostilled documents. His assistant was absolutely lovely! I highly recommend their services.
Mel K
Google review ★★★★★
Super easy, professional and kind - Sheikh sorted us out and is now our go to person for any notary work in central London. Thank you
Chhaya Kapila
Google review ★★★★★
Sheikh was very knowledgeable and helpful. He walked me through the process of notarizing my documents and ensured everything was done accurately and to the standards of the country I was sending it to. Very honest man. It is very hard to find a reasonable notary public. I am very grateful and happy with his service.
Kim-Lee McCalla
Google review ★★★★★
I recently had Sheikh witness my signature on a legal document, and the experience was incredibly efficient from fast responses, quick availability, clear communication, and a friendly, professional approach. Everything was handled smoothly. The process was stress-free and reasonably priced. Highly recommended Sheikh - thank you!
Rosie B
Google review ★★★★★
Sheikh recently assisted me with ID certification, and the whole experience was excellent. Communication was clear and availability was quick. Sheikh was professional yet approachable, making the process stress free. Thank you.
Sing CS
Questions
Where is the office?
Fox Court, 14 Gray's Inn Road, London WC1X 8HN. The nearest Underground stations are Chancery Lane and Farringdon. The entrance to Fox Court is on Gray's Inn Road.
Which documents can be notarised online?
Most powers of attorney, company documents and certified copies can be notarised online, subject to the Notary's review and the requirements of the receiving authority. Statutory declarations and affidavits can also be made by video where the receiving authority accepts it; some courts, consulates and overseas authorities require attendance in person, so please check before booking.
How long is an appointment?
Appointments are 20 minutes.
How is an appointment confirmed?
Your request is reviewed by the Notary, and the appointment is confirmed by email once the fee has been paid. Online appointments are paid in full in advance. In-person appointments are secured by a £50 Holborn in-person appointment deposit or payment in full.
What are the fees?
Notarisation is charged per document: online and in person from £95, and by the Mobile Notary from £350, all plus VAT. UK FCDO apostille, legalisation, translation and courier charges are additional. The full schedule is on our Fees page.
Can a will be notarised?
No. A Notary in England and Wales does not notarise wills.
Instruct the practice
Tell us the document, the country where it will be used and your deadline. We reply within one hour during office hours.